Dowsett clocked 47min 41.78sec over the 38.4km course on the roads of Glasgow to take gold ahead of the Australian Rohan Dennis and Wales’s Geraint Thomas, just weeks after being omitted from the Tour by Movistar owing to illness.

The 25-year-old was forced to produce a stunning finish after trailing Dennis by more than five seconds with 6km remaining but he overturned the deficit in remarkable fashion and his margin of victory was, in the end, comfortable at 9.30sec.

“I had a point to prove to myself, I know I was worthy of that Tour place, I was unlucky when I got ill,” said Dowsett, who won silver in this event at Delhi 2010. “I don’t hold anything against my team for not taking me. If I was my team manager I would’ve probably not taken me as well.

“I spent the whole month fairly angry, not at anyone in particular, just angry at the situation. The Commonwealth Games were a big target for me anyway but it suddenly became a huge target. It was a huge disappointment and I think a couple of people doubted where I was going – I knew I could come here and prove them wrong.”

Scotland’s David Millar, who had described these Games as “one of the biggest events of my life”, finished eighth but hopes for a better performance in the road race on Sunday, while Thomas – whose radio malfunctioned – said the next time he races Dowsett he will try to limit his opponent’s anger beforehand.

“Before the next time trial I’m going to send Alex Dowsett some flowers to make sure he is happy,” Thomas said, jokingly.

Emma Pooley had earlier taken silver in the women’s time trial and Dowsett’s win ensured England extended their lead over Australia in the medal table. “It’s just nice to get one over on the Aussies,” he said. “They seem to be ruling the roost when it’s come to the cycling. I was watching Emma this morning, it was pretty gut-wrenching seeing her lose that at the last minute.

“I think a lot of nations that aren’t in the Commonwealth don’t understand just how big the Commonwealths are. I didn’t give it the credit that was deserved before Delhi and that silver medal there just proved to me just how massive the Commies are. This will be a career highlight for me, regardless of what I do from hereon in.”